Green Groups involved with the Festival

• The Shropshire Access Partnership A new organisation which aims to help individuals, statutory bodies and organisations meet their access needs. Gaining access to services, such as health care, jobs, training and leisure opportunities is important to the quality of life of people living in Shropshire. The Shropshire Access Partnership can help you assess, plan and implement access solutions that meet your needs or those of your customers.
  
• Slow travel in the Shropshire Hills
  The "Slow Travel in the Shropshire Hills" project, which has been developed by the National Trust, South Shropshire District Council, The Shropshire Access Partnership and the University of Central Lancashire, promotes the use of local bus services to visitors and provides them with details of the varied attractions, walks and days out that can be found on local bus routes.
  
  "Our aim is to increase the use of local bus services, whilst also encouraging a more environmentally friendly form of tourism in South Shropshire
  
• AECB: The Sustainable Building Association, responsible for training guidance, campaigns and energy standards.
  
• Shropshire Real Nappy Network: (0870 7771137) A local network to promote reusable nappies.
  
• Sustainable Transport Section: (01743 253035) In its corporate plan the County Council is committed to "reducing energy demand, improving energy efficiency and increasing the use of renewable energy", this commitment therefore applies to transport which is a major user of energy.
  
• Ramblers Association (01743 231357) The Shrewsbury and mid-Shropshire group of the Ramblers' Association produces programmes of walks three times a year. Everyone is welcome to join any of the group's walks, but people who attend regularly are expected to join the National Ramblers' Association.
  
• Crab Apple (01743-761418) Crabapple Community was founded in 1975 and moved to Berrington Hall shortly after. They aim to be increasingly "sustainable" and self sufficient, growing everything organically in line with "permaculture design" principles. The community has planted much of its own woodland and much of this is used as coppice.
  
• Shrewsbury Food Action (01743 244150)
  
• Wroxeter Roman Vineyard (01743-761888) Makers of award winning red & white wines where visitors cab see hands on how wine is produced. They can accommodate single tours to large coach parties.
  
• CPRE (01743 356511) Their mission is to protect the Shropshire landscape so that it will be available for future generations to appreciate and enjoy.
  
• Solar Dawn Solar Dawn is an established, renewable technology business installing mainly solar thermal systems to supply domestic hot water for private properties and small commercial premises.
  
• Shrewsbury Fairtrade The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. Shrew
• Wild Thyme Wholefoods
  
• Friends of the Earth A pressure group concerned with all aspects of the environment, especially in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. They aim to encourage local authorities and businesses to adopt policies which take into account their impact on both the local and global environment to support the national campaigns of Friends of the Earth by acting at a local level.
  
• Shrewsbury Countryside Unit The Countryside Unit aims to conserve the rich wildlife and countryside in and around Shrewsbury. Improving opportunities for people to enjoy and appreciate their natural heritage through quiet recreation and participation.
  
• TESS Transport for Everyone in South Shropshire aims to combat transport inequalities caused by the rural nature of South Shropshire by providing information about public transport, by supporting voluntary car schemes and by setting up projects such as minibus services or lift sharing groups where no other transport opportunities exist.
  
• Centre for Alternative Technology Offers solutions to some of the most serious challenges facing our planet and the human race, such as climate change, pollution and the waste of precious resources and demonstrates practical ways of addressing these problems.
  
• Field Studies Council The FSC offers leisure and professional training courses covering virtually every aspect of learning about the countryside, its wildlife and the environment.
  
• The Ethical Investment Co-operative Ltd (01743 343800) Is a firm of Independent Financial Advisers dedicated to ethical and socially responsible investment.
  
• Shropshire Organic Gardeners Are a group of enthusiastic organic gardeners and small holders who meet once a month for talks, visits and outings.
  
• The Marches Energy Agency (01743 246008) A leading organisation in the search for a sustainable energy future with a portfolio of innovative and highly successful projects.
  
• Smile Plastics Smile Plastics is committed to sourcing and developing innovative ideas and markets for recycled materials, concentrating on transforming plastics waste into multicoloured sheets.
  
• SevernLETS LETS is a Local Exchange Trading System, a scheme for bartering skills and goods between members using a local currency
  
• Energy Efficiency Advice Centre Energy Efficiency Advice Centres advise people on how to reduce their fuel bills and make their establishments warmer and more comfortable.
  
• Shropshire Ornithological Society The society encourages the study and protection of birds in Shropshire and elsewhere, organises a wide range of activities and produce publications to this end and co-operates with other bodies with similar aims.
  
• Box Fresh Organics Direct Delivers a great tasting range of certified organic produce direct to your door.
  
• Shrewsbury Furniture Scheme Collects donated furniture, household goods and electrical items and recycles them for reuse at affordable prices, to people in need.
  
• Shropshire Beekeepers Association Membership is drawn from all over the county. They have monthly meetings throughout the year - indoor from September to April and in members' apiaries during the warmer months. Visitors are always welcome. We particularly aim to encourage beginners.
  
• The Natural Health Centre (01743 248878) Provides natural (holistic) therapies to the people of Shropshire and Mid-Wales.
  
• Harvest Help Harvest Help's vision is for a rural Africa free from poverty where people enjoy secure livelihoods. They work with local organisations in rural Africa to provide practical support to families
  
• WMBP A regional Partnership for looking after biodiversity. The Partnership is now helping people to meet the challenge of caring for the Region's wildlife by protecting important species and habitats, replacing past losses and making new provisions for wildlife.
  
• Greenwood Centre The Green Wood Centre teaches over seventy traditional craft courses, makes landscape furniture and garden goods from local timber and offers a design and build service in green oak.
  
• Women's Environmental Network The only organisation in the UK working exclusively for women and the environment. Their vision is of a world where women are aware of their ability to change the environment for the better and actively come together to do so.
  
• Magic Mushroom Co. Sue Stickley, a professional artist, uses her artistic abilities to create superior and realistic carvings from local hardwood.
  
• Environment Agency Is a leading public body for protecting and improving the environment in England and Wales. They ensure sure that air, land and water are looked after by everyone in today's society, so that tomorrow's generations inherit a cleaner, healthier world
• Shropshire Cyclists Touring Club
• World Development Network
  
• Severn Trent Water Severn Trent Water is the world's fourth largest privately-owned water company - serving over 8 million customers across the heart of the UK.
• Energy Engineering
  
• Cae Post Is a pioneering charity and social enterprise that provides work and training for people with disabilities or disadvantaged in the job market.
• Osbourne Children's Books
  
• Olive and Oscars 'Olive and Oscar' in Shrewsbury town centre carries our complete range of cards and gifts plus antiques, secondhand books and old postcards
  
• Walford and North Shropshire College (01939 262100) Walford and North Shropshire College offers a very wide range of full-time courses at it's Oswestry and Walford Campuses, and a more limited range at Wem, Shipley and Burford. Each offers something unique to its students, but all share our common aim of providing first class education and training opportunities.
  
• Land for people Exists to help communities in Wales, Shropshire and the Marches become more sustainable, with an emphasis on building affordable homes for local people.
  
• Sustainability Section Shropshire County Council The Sustainability Group's mission statement is:"To protect, maintain and enhance Shropshire's unique environment and to improve the quality of life in Shropshire." In order to achieve this, the group brings together a wide range of planning and environment services.
  
• Nurture Network Runs friendly women-only meetings and workshops that celebrate feeling good about ourselves. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month at Grinshill Village Hall from 7-9pm. We do a meditation, Angel card reading and then focus on a different theme each month. Forthcoming themes include a swap shop and Indian head massage. New women looking to join the group are always welcome- cost is £2.
  
  Workshops: Workshops enable you to relax and enjoy yourself:
  
  Nurturing and nourishing (time for you): positive affirmations, breathing techniques and guided visualisations.Saturday 15th September- Grimshill Village Hall.
  
  Connecting with your angels: Guided visualisation to enable you to connect with your Guardian angel. Saturday 13th October at Whitchurch chapel centre
  
  Dreaming Dreams: Create your own dream binder and a dream pillow to sleep on. Saturday 10th November at Grinshall village hall
  
  Letting go and welcoming the new: The art of creative visualisation, letting go and creating a new you. Saturday 1st December at Whitchurch Chapel centre.
  
• Struan
  
• Shropshire Animal Protection
  
• Cloud Gallery: The Cloud Gazers have initiated this exciting, visionary proposal for The Cloud Gallery, an inspirational visual experience for artists and craftspeople, professionals and the public. It will be a place for people to come together to discuss, interact and support: art in the landscape, sustainable design and construction, ethical working relationships and community involvement.
  
• Shropshire Insulations Ltd (01952 461661) provide cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, and central heating. No complicated forms to fill in, installed in less than a day, improved energy performance, CIGA, and 25 independant year guarantee.
  
• Mike Russell Landscape and Garden Design Based in the picturesque town of Church Stretton in South Shropshire, Mike has been designing inspirational and imaginative spaces for Private, Community and Corporate clients since 1987. Growing up in the Shropshire / Welsh borders with parents who ran an Alpine plant nursery and environmental study centre, he was influenced by a more natural approach to gardening from an early age. Experienced and trained in Art & Garden Design, Habitat Creation, Wildlife Gardening, & Horticultural Therapy.
  
• Llani Solar Llani Solar Ltd is an independent installer of Solar Thermal systems. They specialise in domestic systems for homes, as well as large-scale systems for industrial, commercial, and farming uses
   
• Welsh Latino Extravaganza- Strafagansa America Ladin-Gymreig
  
• Growing Greetings-Cards made by Growing Greetings encourage responsible cycling of resources through recycling paper and the redistribution of seeds. Seed mixtures are thoughtfully chosen, focusing on perennials or self-seeding annuals that will germinate at similar times. We believe in encouraging diversity while giving friends more than just a card, giving useful plants for their homes that will last for many years to come
  
• Rural Crafts by Tessa Chapman: (tessa-jim@chaprob.freeserve.co.uk) offers workshops, demonstrations, and products for all ages and abilities; for craft stalls, shop sales, activities and events/ individually designed sessions for the size, needs and learning outcomes of your group or class. Activities include bee craft workshop ideas- e.g. beeswax candle making, Beeswax wood polish, beeswax and honey skin care and honey tasting/ textile workshop ideas such as natural dyeing, spinning, weaving and feltmaking.
  
• TRADE not AID: One of the leading sources of recycled metal birds, animals and reptiles. By purchasing from Trade not Aid you are directly benefiting craftsmen in Africa, providing jobs with dignity and the ability to self-sustain hundreds of families. 
  
• Dragon Alchemy: Dragon Alchemy is a small company committed to producing Hand Crafted individual items with the minimal impact upon the environment. They produce unusual and unique pieces in wood, ceramic, canvas and metal using our own colours and designs or working with a customer to help bring an idea or theme to life. Where possible they use re-cycled materials in all our products.
  
• Bees Abroad: Bees Abroad is an expanding charity which currently supports projects in Cameroon and Nigeria in West Africa, Malawi in East Africa and in Nepal. Funds from Bees Abroad must be utilised for the relief of poverty, which means that projects are bound by BA's legal, charitable requirement to reach the poorest sectors of society. BA is particularly keen to ensure its projects are sustainable, do not depend on constant financial input from outside of the area after the initial set-up period and are not dependant on one person's charisma or input.